6000 B.C.: The earliest known residents of Scotland establish settlements on the Argyll peninsulas.

A.D. 90: Romans abandon the hope of conquering Scotland, retreating to England and the relative safety of Hadrian’s Wall.

400–600: Celtic Scots from Ireland bring Christianity and establish the Dalriadic kingdom in Western Scotland.

1270: William Wallace, key patriot in deflecting the forces of Edward I of England, who wishes to conquer Scotland, is born.

1306–1328: Robert the Bruce leads an open rebellion against English hegemony, and England eventually recognizes Scotland’s sovereignty.

1424: James I is crowned, establishing the Stuart royal line and succession when his son is made king in 1437.

1587: Mary, Queen of Scots, is executed on orders of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth.

1603: Mary’s son, James VI of Scotland, accedes to the throne of England as James I — thus unifying the crown.

1707: The union of England and Scotland takes place and the Scottish Parliament is dissolved.

1750–1850: Britain experiences rapid industrialization. The Clearances strip many crofters of their farms, creating epic bitterness and forcing new patterns of Scottish migration.

Late–19th century: Astonishing success in the sciences propels Scotland into the role of arbiter of industrial know-how around the globe.

Mid–20th century: The decline of traditional industries, especially shipbuilding, painfully redefines the nature of Scottish industry.

1970: The discovery of oil deposits in the North Sea brings new vitality to Scotland.

1997: Scotland passes a referendum on “devolution” within Great Britain.

1999: Elections for the Scottish Parliament are held, and, soon after, Queen Elizabeth opens the first Scottish Parliament in almost 300 years.

2004: The controversially expensive and much delayed Parliament building opens in Edinburgh.